Three New Trails Completed in the Big Ravine Network!

BIG RAVINE TRAILS MAP

Bayfield Area Trails volunteers and the community are celebrating three new trails completed during the summer! Extension of the Gil Larsen Trail, and the addition of the Sweeny Switchback and the Iron Bridge Link, have improved a beautiful, leisurely walk up the creek and created exciting new accesses to the Big Ravine. These new trails have added roughly 0.4 miles, filling gaps that have been needed for years. 

“While building these trails during the summer, it was amazing to see how many people of all ages enjoyed them. The Gil Larsen Trail is especially great for families. It’s not too long or steep, kids get to play in the creek, and parents can enjoy the diverse forest,” said Keith Ray of the City Parks and Recreation Committee.

Work on the Gil Larsen Trail

Over 25 BATS volunteers, wearing COVID-19 social distancing bibs, participated in six, two-day trail building sessions between June 12th and August 22nd under the leadership of professional trail builder Will Krift of Trails Anonymous. The project was funded by a grant from the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund to build volunteer trail crew capacity for the Bayfield Area Trails. Not only did the volunteers gain skills and learn trail building techniques, they even had fun!

​Volunteer Bob Wood remarked, “This has been a really rewarding experience. Building a community of volunteers who have a passion for trails is also exciting for the future of trails in our area. I look forward to continuing the momentum we’ve started this summer.”

The volunteers also reclaimed several “social trails” that had developed along the sensitive creek banks and had caused erosion and vegetation damage. Hikers are asked to stay off these fragile areas to help protect the Big Ravine for others to enjoy. “Over the years we’ve seen human impacts increase. While we encourage folks to visit the Big Ravine, it has been really good to get ahead of the potential for serious damage,” commented BATS (Bayfield Area Trails Stewards) volunteer Genevieve Johnson. 
​

Will Krift on Sweeny Switchback

These trails are among several that were professionally planned by Trails Anonymous under a contract with the City and funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. Two more of these trails have yet to be built. The Pine Bluff Trail is slated for construction before winter settles in. Pine Bluff will link the Gil Larsen Trail in the Ravine bottom to the East Rim Trail, creating access all of the way up to the North Ravine Trailhead on Meyers-Olson Road. If grant funding comes through for 2021, the final link, Hemlock Heights Trail, would make a similar connection between the Gil Larsen Trail and the trail network northwest of the Bayfield school.

Kate Kitchell from the City of Bayfield Parks and Recreation Committee and Bayfield Area Trails Committee has been inspired by the generosity and spirit of all who pitched in. “It’s truly remarkable to see what we’ve been able to accomplish!”  My heartfelt thanks to Sue Aiken, Katie Barningham, Adrian Bethel, Bill Bland, Ian Campbell, Matt Carrier, Abe Clark, Mike Eldred, Liz Fentress, Bob Feyen, Neil Howk, John Ipsen, Genevieve Johnson, Dave Judd, Mike Kinnee, Kate Kitchell, Gene Lemmenes, Chris Nybo, Anney Olson, John Olson, Mark Peterson, Sheree Peterson, Keith Ray, Janel Ryan, Erik Scott, Kris Wegerson, and Bob Wood. “You’re the best!”

Please let us know what you think or if you’re interested in joining in by clicking here or sending an email to [email protected].

Hope to see you out on the trail!